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My stance is that free people can make their own choices by Rochesterdomer

It's a novel idea these days, yes, but we can decide. We can decide to get vaccinated or not, we can decide to go masked or not, and we can decide to stay home and live in fear if we want.

Here's the thing, dfcirish- There's a perspective that I've painfully learned can only be gained by living through, and surviving, personal tragedy. I have absolutely no idea if you have, but I can tell you that I have. When you live through tragedy-and i mean real, bring you to your knees, beg and curse and plead with and throw yourself to the mercy of God all at the same time tragedy- you see the world differently when you begin coming out on the other side. You don't survive it just to be told what to do and what mask to wear. You don't survive it to live in fear of getting sick. You know that there are things in this world far, far more formidable and soul-shaking than COVID-19. That doesn't mean that I'm trivializing anyone else's concern, it's just that I don't share them.

My path has lead me to a place where if the guy sitting next to me in an outdoor stadium has showed an usher his vaccination card and is wearing a mask is just, comparatively, trivial. It may not be to you. I can respect that. Clearly, you're not an idiot. You'll make the best choice for you.

I've done my part for the guy sitting next to me. I got vaccinated, and I'm conscious of the things I should be conscious of to do what I can to help. But God damnit, I didn't survive to just end up living in fear. And I didn't survive just to end up being an asshole on the internet.

I survived to live a life where I respect people's opinions and perspectives, and hope to God they never have to have bigger worries than this. I appreciate that the administration at ND respects us enough to make informed, respectful decisions in this case. It'd be nice if all of the ND family would do the same with each other.

Best wishes to you.